I purchased the slim zirconium version because I’ve never owned a zirconium pen before and wanted something without a coating. I'm not a fan of finishes that wear poorly over time. This has quickly become one of my favorite pens.
I became a fan of side click pens after using the Fisher AG7 for years, but decided to replace it after the titanium nitride coating began to pit badly. After about a decade of daily pocket carry, the AG7 had earned its retirement and the slim version was the closest match to the size of the AG7, which I have come to prefer.
The action on this pen isn’t as smooth as the AG7 out of the box — especially on the release. Even after weeks of fidgeting to wear it in, it still requires a bit more force to disengage. That said, don’t let this discourage you if you’re looking for a premium replacement to something like the AG7. The mechanism may not be as soft, but it feels far more robust.
Surprisingly, the pen feels lighter than the AG7 despite looking larger — perhaps zirconium isn’t as dense as I expected, or it’s just better balanced. The texture on the body is excellent: it provides a secure grip without being uncomfortable during long writing sessions. Tactile Turn really nailed the feel and spacing of the machining.
Overall, I’d absolutely purchase again — and will likely give the bolt action a try next.